Chief-Rabbi Candidate Threatens Secular Supporters

An attorney for Rabbi David Stav of the Tel Aviv-area town of Shoham sent a letter to secular supporters of his candidacy for chief rabbi, telling them that if they don't stop using his name and picture without permission within 72 hours, the chairman of the Tzohar rabbinical organization will be forced to take legal action against them. The businessmen had taken out newspaper and outdoor advertising on behalf of the rabbi and refused his request to stop after the form of the advertisement was criticized. Although the rabbi renounced the ads and their nature, the group continued, declaring it was their right to do so as a way of saying that the Chief Rabbinate was also "the business of the secular and not [just] the religious."

In his letter, Dr. Aviad Hacohen said the groups intentions were desirable but their actions were not.